December 2025
Dear Sponsors, Donors and Friends,
As Christmas approaches, we hope this letter finds you in good health and good spirits. As you well know, Mission Teaching Foundation has been a very long-term effort which never would have existed without the foresight of Fr. Loren, whom we dearly miss. We were grateful that upon Fr. Loren’s passing, Fr. Gary stepped in to help us keep the effort going, and we continue to regret his loss this past year. We are grateful that Sr. Maria Campos has agreed to lead us. Her long history with MTF is a blessing for us and for the students of Yashalum, and her involvement allows us to continue this important work.
Our newsletter last Christmas, included a letter from Ana Yeli Mendez Encino, one of the university students. That seems, to us, like a good tradition to start! Here is one of the letters we received this year from a university student.
My name is Miguel Gomez Mendoza, and I am 21 years old. I study Computer Engineering at the Technical Institute in Balaclan, Tabasco. I’m in my seventh semester with a 4.2 GPA.
I am from the community of Aurora Grande in Chilon, Chiapas. I am lucky that I can speak both Tsetal and Spanish. My house is surrounded by much biodiversity, including cedar and pine trees and many animals, such as rabbits, deer and squirrels. We celebrate many holy days according to our traditions: New Year’s Day, Holy Week, the feast of the Holy Cross, the feast of St. Peter and the Day of the Dead.
My parents are very proud of me at this stage of my life. They are sincerely grateful for the help that you have given me to make it possible for me to continue my studies. My father, Carlos Gomez Nunez, is a farmer and my mother, Petrona Mendoza Vazquez is a homemaker.
That’s all for now. I wish you all the best. I hope that God always protects and blesses you.
Sincerely,
Miguel Gomez Mendoza
Miguel, and all of the students who are part of the MTF family, inspire us to continue our efforts to support them. Attaining an education improves their lives, the lives of their families and the progress of their communities. Thank you, as always, for your continuing support. We are grateful for your generosity, and we wish you a blessed Christmas and a healthy and happy New Year.
THE STAFF OF MISSION TEACHING FOUNDATION
Christmas 2025
